Child Passenger Safety

Minnesota Child Car Seat Law and Steps

In Minnesota, all children must be in a child restraint until they are 4’9” tall, or at least age 8, whichever comes first. Learn more on the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety website.

Step 1: Rear-facing child seats - Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.

Step 2: Forward-facing seats - Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether. Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.

Step 3: Booster seats - Use after outgrowing a forward-facing harnessed restraint; safest to remain in a booster until 4 feet 9 inches tall, or at least age 8, whichever comes first.

Step 4: Seat belts - Use when children can sit with their back against the vehicle seat and have their knees bent comfortably over the edge with their feet touching the floor.

Car seat checks

The Apple Valley Police Department offers car seat safety checks for people who live or work in Apple Valley. Car seat checks are done by appointment only and offered during the week, during daytime hours. We don’t currently offer weekend appointments. To schedule an appointment or if you have additional child passenger safety questions, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Pam Walter at 952-953-2706 or by email at pam.walter@applevalleymn.gov. 

Smartphones, tablets, and computers make virtual car seat checks with audio and visual components possible through technology such as FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, and Google Duo. You must download and fill out the Virtual Car Seat Check pre-form and email it to pam.walter@applevalleymn.gov prior to the appointment date.